Gunfire Erupts In Ferguson, Mo., On Anniversary Of Michael Brown Shooting

By Bill Chappell,

NPR Staff

Published August 10, 2015 at 3:15 AM CDT

A young boy looks at a man in police custody who apparently suffered gunshot wounds Sunday night in Ferguson, Mo.

As events marking the anniversary of the shooting death of Michael Brown were winding down Sunday night, gunfire erupted in Ferguson, Mo., leaving a gunman in the hospital. Police say the suspect was not part of the weekend's rallies, which have been peaceful.

The shooting, in which dozens of rounds were reportedly fired, began near the intersection of Ferguson Avenue and West Florissant Avenue, the epicenter of last summer's standoffs between protesters and police.

Activist Cornel West is arrested during a protest outside the federal courthouse in St. Louis. He and dozens of other protesters marking the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., one year ago.

Police say that the initial outburst of gunfire seemed to be between two groups, with as many as six people firing. Photos from the scene show two unmarked police cars with bullet holes.

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said in a news conference that plainclothes officers pursued one of the suspects, who then fired upon them. Other officers were on the street, wearing riot gear.

The plainclothes officers returned fire, striking the suspect, Belmar said.

Belmar said the suspect is in surgery in "critical ... unstable condition."

The four officers have been placed on administrative leave.

The shooting began around 11:10 p.m. local time, says St. Louis Public Radio. The station reports, "Protesters and police both ran toward Ferguson Avenue, away from West Florissant, after the shots rang out, leaving the streets mostly clear by 11:30."

Demonstrator Roberta Lynch, who held a cane as she ran from the shooting, told St. Louis Public Radio, "We need to stop, too much has been going on, too many people getting murdered already. This is senseless."

Belmar described the individuals involved in the incident as "criminals" and distinguished them from protesters who are calling for positive changes in the community.

The shooting disrupted a march that was one of several events this weekend to mark the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black Ferguson resident who was unarmed when he was shot and killed by (now former) police officer Darren Wilson, who is white.

Update at 11 a.m. ET: Lynch Sees Community 'In Harm's Way'

The violence in Ferguson was discussed by Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who began her speech at a Fraternal Order of Police conference Monday by saying:

"I strongly condemn the violence against the community, including police officers, in Ferguson. As we have seen over the recent months and years, not only does violence obscure any message of peaceful protest, it places the community, as well as the officers who seek to protect it, in harm's way.

"The weekend's events were peaceful and promoted a message of reconciliation and healing. But incidents of violence, such as we saw last night, are contrary to both that message, along with everything that all of us, including this group, have worked to achieve over the past year."

St. Louis Public Radio reports that another shooting — a drive-by attack — took place at a nearby apartment building several hours after the violence at West Florissant Avenue. That shooting left two young men injured.